Local man restores windmill, piece of history

Though he does not know why specifically, Wayne Guernsey said he has always had a love for a piece of farm equipment that is becoming increasingly rare.

"For some reason windmills have intrigued me for a long time," said Guernsey. "It's a thing of the past."

The style he likes best are Fairbury Vaneless Windmills, which were manufactured by the Fairbury Windmill Company of Fairbury, Neb., which was established in 1890. Initially used to pump water, Fairbury windmills were first produced in 1899 and many variations took shape through the 1900s. Many still can be seen across the United States.

Guernsey said Jake Hires, a family friend, had a Fairbury Vaneless Windmill from Iowa in his possession and, knowing his love for the piece, offered it to him in May.

"It was in really rough shape," Guernsey said, adding the mill was rusty and missing a number of parts necessary for it to run.

His Fairbury Vaneless Windmill is the 8-foot No. 7A variation, which was created in the 1920s and uses Timken roller bearings instead of the former babbitt bearings, a steel band brake and steel pitmans.

For assistance, Guernsey took the windmill to Norm Beard of Vince's Body Shop in Lake Odessa. Beard, who has worked on a number of similar windmills in the past, determined the windmill was able to be saved, and got to work sandblasting off each inch of corrosion.

"I enjoyed the project," said Beard, who also painted the windmill and welded the mill's broken case. "It took about one month in between others jobs."

Missing vintage parts were found through an Internet search, leading Guernsey to Big Country Windmill in Maxwell, Neb., which was conveniently located within hours of his son, who at the time was working in an internship in the state.

"It just all fell into place. It was like it was meant to be," Guernsey added.

So, after traveling to Nebraska, visiting his son and purchasing the parts at the business, the gearbox was reconstructed. The Fairbury logo was also painted on the tail of the windmill as a finishing touch.

Guernsey, who resides on a farm owned by Bob Bennett on Bennett Road, asked Bennett if there had been a previous windmill on the property where a well was located. Though Bennett told him he did not believe there had been, Guernsey said he was surprised to find feet of a former windmill when digging holes for the feet of the refurbished mill.

"I couldn't believe it," Guernsey said, adding the find made him feel the project was completely worthwhile to restore what once was.

When the windmill finally was complete and in working order, a crane was used to hoist the object and match it with the newly secure feet thanks to the help of other volunteers and workers from Charlotte Crane.

Although the windmill is not operational and is only enjoyed for its looks, Guernsey said he is proud to see the piece up and running for his enjoyment and for the enjoyment of passers-by.

He added he is thankful for everyone who made the project possible, and is pleased to not only preserve history, but help educate others who are unfamiliar with Fairbury Vaneless Windmills.